The smell of fresh paint used to be part of every home makeover. Today, with more Pune families repainting while they live at home, and with infants, elderly parents and pets in the house, many homeowners want to avoid that smell altogether. Low-VOC and low-odour paints, combined with good site practices, make this possible.
What VOCs are
Volatile organic compounds are solvents that evaporate from some paints as they dry. They cause the familiar paint smell and can irritate eyes and airways. Water-based emulsions generally contain far fewer VOCs than older solvent-based enamels, and many premium lines are now formulated specifically for low VOC and low odour.
How to choose the paint
- Ask for low-VOC or low-odour variants of interior emulsions. Most major brands, including Berger and Asian Paints, offer them in their premium ranges.
- Read the product data sheet for VOC content and any third-party green certification.
- Prefer water-based products for doors and woodwork where possible, instead of solvent-based enamels.
- Check primers and putty too, not just the topcoat.
For a broader view of paint tiers, see our Berger paints guide.
Site practices that matter as much as the paint
- Ventilation: keep windows open and use exhaust fans during and after painting.
- Room-by-room work: so the family can stay in finished, aired rooms. See repainting an occupied flat.
- Dust control: machine sanding with vacuum extraction, as in mechanised painting services, reduces fine dust that bothers sensitive lungs.
- Sealed containers and daily removal of waste, rags and empty tins.
- Timing: paint children's and elders' rooms first so they can air out longest.
Special cases
- Newborns and pregnant family members: where possible, stay elsewhere during application and for a day or two after, and ask a doctor if unsure.
- Elderly members with breathing conditions: same approach; keep their room closed and painted last-cured.
- Pets: keep them away from wet paint and solvent containers.
Timing in Pune's climate
Paint dries and airs out faster in dry weather. October to March is ideal. In the monsoon, drying is slow and smells linger. See painting around the Pune monsoon.
Healthy interiors beyond paint
Low-emission boards and adhesives matter too in new furniture. If you are doing interiors, ask about board emission grades. Our guide on designing a child's bedroom covers safe material choices, and low-maintenance interiors covers easy-clean surfaces.
Costs
Low-VOC products are usually in the premium tier, so expect the material line to rise. Labour does not change. See the ranges in our painting cost guide.
Gruham Buildsol specifies low-odour paints and runs clean, ventilated sites for families across Pune. Book a site visit.
